NEW YORK RED BULLS

August 13, 2012A FAST RESOLUTION?Red Bulls could make decision on Sam soon

By Kristian R. Dyer
BigAppleSoccer.com Contributing Editor

UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J. – A resolution could be fast coming on trialist Lloyd Sam, who is with the Red Bulls reserve team for Monday’s match against D.C. United.

Sam, whose presence with the club was first reported by BigAppleSoccer.com last week, is out of contract and looking to latch on with New York. The 27-year old winger brings pace to the Red Bulls attack and is looking to impress today to earn a contract.

“We’ll make a decision [after today],” coach Hans Backe said following Monday’s training session at Montclair State University.

The speedster boasts experience in the English Premier League and most recently has featured at Leeds United and on loan at Notts County. It is his experience at Notts County with former Red Bulls forward Luke Rodgers that led to his interest in playing with the Red Bulls.

Backe said that he won’t watch any tape of Sam from the reserve match but will rely on the recommendation of assistant coach Mike Petke on whether to proceed with trying to ink the former England Under-20 player. Petke has done well in the past with his other recommendations, including central defenders Stephen Keel and Tyler Ruthven.

“I think Mike just can inform," Backe said." I’ve seen Lloyd quite a lot from his games in Leeds, Notts County and what he’s done in these training sessions.